Though I am extremely lazy when it comes to styling my hair, there are days when work requires that I wear a more polished look.

For me, that refined look is usually in the form of straightened, sleek style.  I want to rock shiny, smooth, silky and straight hair because simply straight in texture is not enough for me.

To achieve an enviable coif, the process starts even before you heat up the flat iron.  Straightened, damaged hair will still look like damaged hair.  Like everything in life, if you start with a good foundation in which to build upon, the end product will be that much better too.

Here’s my four-step process to getting good-looking straight hair:

Step 1: Bumble and bumble Quenching Shampoo ($28 US) and Conditioner ($31 US)

From the new Bumble and bumble Wear and Care line, Quenching Shampoo and Conditioner is the start to good looking hair.  The Quenching duo goes beyond just cleaning and conditioning hair.

The entire Quenching line is specially formulated to super-saturate chronically dry, heat-weary, and roughly-handled shafts with a rich lipid blend that “rebuild the natural moisture barrier and smooth and seal lifted cuticles back in place”.

Quenching’s lipid blend, 3 P’s (pro-vitamin B5, phytantriol, panthenyl ethyl ether) and wheat proteins all work together to make hair stronger, shinier and protected from heat styling.  And the blend is gentle and sodium-chloride-free so there is no fear of over-washing when you do.

Step 2: Bumble and bumble Mending Complex ($33 US)

Also from Bumble and bumble’s Wear and Care line, Mending Complex is an effective leave-in treatment that coddles cuticles after in-shower conditioners are rinsed out.  Created for daily use to mend chemically damaged hair and bring back its original strength and shine, this lightweight treatment provides an invisible barrier of phytantriol to protect cuticles from heat styling and future damage.

Both Quenching and Mending lines smell delicious and will make you want to use them every time you jump in the shower.

Step 3: Samy Salon Systems Heat Guard Spray ($4.99 US)

Everything from Miami-based hairstylist Samy’s hair care line (of the same name) is “Miami-proof”.  You gotta figure that if a product has been designed to withstand south Florida’s heat and humidity, it should outperform under normal conditions.  Samy Heat Guard Spray indeed performs and does not disappoint.

Heat Guard Spray protects from heat damage and breakage caused by styling tools to create a silky, smooth, shiny texture instead.  To use, spray a generous amount into damp hair and comb to evenly distribute the product.  Then heat style as usual.

Step 4: Remington Frizz Therapy 1” Flat Iron ($50 US)

This is a really good flat iron.  Not kidding.  I’ve been testing other “salon quality” versions that are 3x – 4x the price and the Remington Frizz Therapy 1” Flat Iron really beats them.

Though I haven’t had a chance to confirm the flat iron’s “all day anti-frizz protection even in humidity” (I will when the summer humidity sets in), it does an amazing job transforming my unruly waves to sleek and straight with very minimal effort.

Micro conditioners distributed through the high grade ceramic plates help to block out frizz and keep straightened hair smooth.

The Remington Frizz Therapy 1” Flat Iron operates on a digital temperature control, heats up to 430 degrees Fahrenheit and does so in about 30 seconds.

Another unique feature of the flat iron is its “floating plates” that cleverly move along with strands as you pull hair through.  This helps to get hair straight faster by allowing more consistent heat contact as the iron moves down the hair shaft.

Beautiful straight hair is as easy as 1-2-3-4.  What’s your go-strategy for straight styling?

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